Mormonvoices Explains Mormons Are Christians, Just Not Evangelicals

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MormonVoices has published an article to clarify the terms and history of the Mormon-Evangelical relationship

When Evangelicals say Mormons are not Christian, what they are really saying is that we're not Evangelicals or their ‘brand’ of Christianity

Salt Lake City, Utah (PRWEB)June 30, 2012

MormonVoices, an online organization of Mormon volunteers seeking to provide positive input into public discussions about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, today released a statement defending the claim that Mormons are Christians while recognizing that substantive differences exist between Mormons and Evangelicals. This is in response to various articles from national news outlets discussing the role of Mormonism within the broader context of Christianity. Using polls and analysis, some news sources have sought to ascertain what the political ramifications of some Evangelicals' negative view of Mormon theology may be.

To address this issue, MormonVoices, an independent organization that is supportive of but not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon church), has published an article to clarify the terms and history of the Mormon-Evangelical relationship, in hopes that journalists and commentators will better understand the relevant facts and terms. The article can be found at http://www.MormonVoices.org.

"Sometimes the press coverage implies that Evangelical accusations against Mormons – that we're not Christian or that our church is a cult – are the product of careful analysis," said Scott Gordon, a managing director of MormonVoices. "This really doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, “ he stated. “While there are many sincere Evangelicals who simply disagree with Mormons, The history of the Evangelical 'countercult' movement is fraught with bad faith from several of its leaders. What we really need is more understanding between faith communities, and less rhetoric that is based on false information."

John Lynch, a co-founder of MormonVoices, agreed. "When Evangelicals say Mormons are not Christian, what they are really saying is that we're not Evangelicals or their ‘brand’ of Christianity. However, not being Evangelical does not disqualify us from objectively claiming to be Christians.” Lynch explained, “All Mormon scriptures are focused on Christ. The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ, states that its purpose is proving that the teachings about Christ in the Bible are true. Our Church services, our very name, and our behavior all reflects a love of Christ and His teachings. By that alone we should be considered Christians.”

Lynch concluded by appealing to the media to seek real objectivity when reporting on the Church. “Responsible news outlets would do well to recognize the very real Christian focus of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by including coverage of our weekly Sunday services, and the way in which our scriptures and other materials pervasively focus on Jesus Christ. By doing so, they may help close the divide between Mormons and Evangelicals who share Christian values, and a love of Christ."